Consumers feel helpless and exposed

Sure Americans are anxious about their personal information being exposed It makes them feel like a herd of deer in a clearing full of predators. But Americans are also unsure what they could possibly do about it except hope that they’re not the ones targeted.

Sure Americans are anxious about their personal information being exposed It makes them feel like a herd of deer in a clearing full of predators.

But Americans are also unsure what they could possibly do about it except hope that they’re not the ones targeted. A new Associated Press-GfK Poll found that people are worried about the safety of their personal information, but they aren’t taking steps to ensure that they are more secure.

This follows Target and other retailers revealing that hackers got at tens of millions of shoppers’ credit card information. But few people are switching to cash for purchases or are going over their credit reports.

Folks are firmly entrenched in using plastic, and that is unlikely to change. Meanwhile, those who want to know more details about Americans are doing so through smartphones.

The National Security Agency and its British counterpart are using game applications like Angry Birds to snoop on people’s whereabouts and personal information. Phone and computer taps, surveillance cameras, and credit, debit and shopper cards aren’t enough.